Though today is not a legal holiday in Costa Rica, as the July 25 holiday legally moves Monday July 30, the celebrations in Guanacaste continue as usual as the region celebrates its 183rd anniversary of the Anexión del Partido de Nicoya, formally making the province of Guanacaste part of the Costa Rica.
The annexation took place on July 25, 1824.
It would be hard to imagine today a Costa Rica without Guanacaste, the province with the greatest growth in real estate development and tourism. In fact, many believe that Guanacaste is living its greatest real estate boom ever following having been a poor and far away province for many years, dedicated to the raising of livestock and agriculture.
Tourism has allowed Guanacaste to do a 180 degree turn since the opening of the Daniel Oduber International airport in Liberia that sees more than 100.000 tourists each year, tourists that at one time had to fly into San José and then travelled by land to their destination in Guanacaste.
Today, vacationers from the United States and Europe can be on the beach in less than half an hour after landing instead of the four to five hours only a few years ago.
The biggest change is noticeable in the once small town of Liberia that has now grown into a small city, with a shopping centres, hotels and even a cinema, the first movie theatre outside of the Central Valley. Liberia has undergone over the last few years a dizzying change.
Development in Guanacaste has grown a rapid rate.
Development has not only concentrated in Liberia. The small town of Santa Cruz is now becoming an important commercial centre. Papagayo has attracted developments like the Four Seasons Hotel, a world class hotel charging up to us$500 per night for a standard room.
Tamarindo has seen a real estate development explosion. Flamingo, Brasilito and Conchal all have grown during the last five years. Playas del Coco, Hermosa and Panama are keeping pace.
Many local businesses have seen the opportunities of Guanacaste. Major retailers who once only catered to the San José market have sprung up almost overnight. Major local and international aw offices and accounting firms are now establishing roots in Guanacaste, as have the international real estate organizations like Re/Max, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, etc.
Banks and financial institutions have sprung up almost overnight. There was a time when the Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) and Banco Nacional (BN) - state banks - had a branch in Liberia. Now they have a branch in every community The private banks was well, led by Scotiabank, now have branches and ATM's in all the communities as well.
An banks have seen the benefits. In Liberia, for example, where only the Banco Nacional and Banco de Costa Rica - both state banks - had branches, now there are six banks. Private banks are opening branches in beach communities where only the state banks would be present.
The Cámara de Turismo de Guanacaste (tourism board) says that visitors not only come for the beach and relaxation, but also in search of business opportunities and retirement homes. Though the exact numbers vary, experts say that foreigners have invested more than us$200 million dollars in property in Guanacaste in the last couple of years.
Originally published on InsideCostaRica.com
